Collapsible shelter



6, 1966 M. J.'HOINESS E TAL 3,266,503

COLLAPS IBLE SHELTER Filed June 25, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 [NVEN TOPS MERLIN (I HO/NESS MLBUA E. PETERSON I ATTQRNE Y5 1966 M. J. HOINESS ETAL 3,266,503

COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER Filed June 25, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MLBU/P EPETERSON /0 IN VENTOFAS MERLIN J Howsas ArroR/vz s 1966 M. J. HOINESS ETAL 3,266,503

COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER Filed June 25, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 "27 I/vvEN TORLS F 10 MERLIN J HO/NE55 W'mswe EPEITEPSON BWZM/QWJ ATTORNEYj 1966 M. J. HOINESS ETAL 3,

COLLAPS IBLE SHELTER Filed June 25, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 -h 13 Z/VVENTORS *5 3' MERL/N J HO/NESS ,l V WLBUF? EPETEPSON W/WyM A7 TOR/VEYS United States Patent 3,266,503 COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER Merlin J. Hoiness, 320 2nd Ave. SE., and Wilbur E. Peterson. 460 Main Ave. N., both of Harmony, Minn. Filed June 25, 1964, Ser. No. 377,842 Claims. (Cl. 1354) This invention relates generally to portable and lightweight shelters and enclosures, and more particularly it relates to a collapsible shelter of the type often employed for use as a screened summer house or enclosure.

Shelters of the type to which the present invention relates are normally provided with a tent-like top of flexible waterproof material and screened side walls, and such structures when made collapsible are useful for shelters on various occasions, such as for camping, back yard cookouts, and picnics. While shelters of the general type noted herein have previously been in use, the same have been expensive, cumbersome to erect and store, and have normally utilized a center pole as a structural support element. With these disadvantages of the prior structures in mind, an important object of the present invention is the provision of a collapsible shelter which is light in weight, quick and easy to erect and also to collapse or fold into a compact portable condition, and which is provided with a rigid but easily folded frame which does not require the use of a center pole.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a collapsible and portable shelter which folds into a compact package of relatively small volume as compared to the erected size thereof and wherein the structural elements are disposed in generally parallel relationship with respect to one another.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a collapsible shelter which may be conveniently transported and carried by a single individual when in its collapsed or portable condition, and which may also be assembled and erected quickly and conveniently by a single individual.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a collapsible shelter having a cover for the top thereof formed of flexible waterproof material and having screened side walls, and which is also light in weight, but very strong and sturdy when erected.

The above and still further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed specification, appended claims and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein like references indicate like parts or elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing the collapsible shelter of the present invention in an erected condition,

some parts being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective showing the frame structure of the shelter in an erected condition, but with the covering material removed therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation showing the shelter in a completely collapsed or folded condition and inserted within a carrying bag;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective showing a partially unfolded condition of the structure;

' FIG. 5 is a view in perspective showing a further par- 3,266,503 Patented August 16, 1966 mately on the line 88 of FIG. 2, some parts being broken away;

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8, but showing an alternative position of some parts thereof by full lines and a further alternative position of some parts thereof by dotted lines;

FIG. 10 is a View in section taken approximately on the line 10-10 of FIG. 1, and showing an erected condition of some of the top wall struts, and also showing a partially collapsed position thereof by dotted lines, with the covering material being removed;

FIG. 11 is a detail view in elevation of one of the side frame members, some parts being broken away and some parts shown in section, and also illustrating an alternative position of some parts by dotted lines;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail view of one corner portion of the floor or top frame, some parts being broken away and some parts shown in section, and an alternative position of some parts represented by dotted lines;

FIG. 13 is a View in elevation of the corner portion as seen from the line 13-13 of FIG. 12, with the parts broken away in FIG. 12 being illustrated in full in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail view in plan showing the connection of the inner end portion of the top struts;

FIG. 15 is a view in perspective showing the connecting bracket shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a view in plan of the harness utilized for connecting end portions of the structural elements in the completely collapsed position of the shelter, some parts being broken away; and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view in section taken approximately on the line 1717 of FIG. 16.

The collapsible shelter illustrated in the drawings comprises a gene-rally rectangular floor frame, represented in its entirety by the reference numeral 1. The floor frame 1 comprises four elongated side elements 2 connected at their corner portions in a manner shown particularly in FIGS. 12 and 13. The side elements 2 are generally of tubular construction and define arcuate end portions 3 which are cut away and overlap, as shown particularly in FIG. 13. The overlapping portions are pivotally connected together by means of a pin 4, and the reduced ends of the arcuate end portions 3 are received within the corresponding ends of the tubular portions of the side elements 2, as shown in FIG. 12, and secured thereto by means of rivets 5 or other suitable fasteners. With this arrangement, the side elements 2 of the floor frame 1 may be folded at the corners in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The side elements 2 of the floor frame 1 are sectioned generally at their midpoints into a pair of side sections 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the side sections 6 are connected together .at the midpoints for generally universal pivotal movements with respect to one another by means of coil springs 7. The connected inner end portions of the side sections 6 terminate in axially spaced relation, and each of the coil springs 7 has its opposite end portions afiixed to the adjacent tubing ends of the side sections 6.

The shelter of the present invention further comprises a generally rectangular top frame, represented in its entirety by the reference numeral 8, normally positioned in vertically spaced relation above the floor frame 1 and being generally similar in configuration thereto. The top frame 8 is constructed in a manner similar to the construction of the floor frame I noted above, and accordingly comprises four elongated similar side elements 9 having arcuate end portions 3 connected by means of pins 4, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and described above with respect to the floor frame 1. The side elements 9 of the top frame 8 are sectioned at their midpoints into a pair of side sections 10 connected by means of elongated 3,2ee,50s

coil springs 11. Thus, the side sections of the top frame side elements 9 are connected together at their midpoints for generally universal movements with respect to one another.

The arrangement and disposition of the coil springs 11 connecting the inner end portions of the side sections 10 is shown particularly in FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein it will be noted that the inner'end portions of the side sections 10 define generally circumferentially extending ridges 12 which are interposed between spaced adjacent convolutions of the coil spring 11. In this manner, each of the coil springs 11 is rigidly secured to the tubular side sections 10. In accordance with this invention, the top frame 8 further comprises a plurality of elongated struts 13 having their inner end portions connected together and also having their outer end portions connected to the midpoints of the side elements 9 of the top frame 8. The connection of the outer end portions of the struts 13 to the coil springs 11 is shown particularly in FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein it will be noted that a ring element 14 encompasses the coil spring 11 and is secured to the tubular strut 13 by means of a bolt 15 or other suitable fastener.

In order to provide means for releasably but rigidly securing the side sections 10 of the top frame 8 in their operative positions shown in FIG. 2, latch rod means shown particularly in FIGS. 7-9 is provided in accordance with this invention. As shown therein, such latch means comprises an elongated tubular member 16 of smaller diameter than the diameter of the tubular side sections 10 and .slidably received therein. Pull cords 17, 18 are secured in the opposite ends of the tubular members 16 by means of Wedge plugs, as shown at 19. The plugs 19 wedge and secure the adjacent cords 17, 18 against the inner wall surface of the tubular member 16. The pull cord 17 extends through an aperture 20 defined in the wall of the adjacent tubular side section 10 and is equipped with a handle 21. Similarly, the pull cord 18 extends through an aperture 22 in the opposite side section 10 and is also equipped with a handle 23. It will be understood that the apertures 20, 22 are located longitudinally of the adjacent side sections 10 and in relation to the length of the tubular member 16 so as to define two opposite positions of the tubular member 16 upon the alternate pulling of the handles 21, 23. As shown in FIG. 8, when the handle 21 of the pull cord 17 is pulled, the tubular member 16 will move to the full line position of FIG. 8 and thereby extend between and rigidly connect the adjacent side sections 10. However, when the pull cord 18 is extended by means of pulling on the handle 23, the tubular member 16 will be moved to the position shown in FIG. 9 wherein the tubular member 16 is entirely disposed Within the adjacent one of the side sections 10 so as to permit relative generally universal folding or collapsible movements, as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 9, between the side sections 10 then connected only by means of the coil spring 11.

The inner end portions of the struts 13 of the top frame 8 are pivotally connected together by means of a bracket member 24 having four pairs of generally equally spaced ears 25. The respective pairs of ears 25 are located at approximately 90 intervals, and each pair of ears 25 carries a corresponding end portion of the strut 13 by means of a cross pin 26. With this arrangement, the struts 13 may be moved in unison in a generally vertical direction and pivoted about generally horizontally extending axes. Referring to FIG. 10, the operative upper position of the struts 13 is shown by full lines, wherein the depending hook end portions 27 thereof extend downwardly in generally parallel relationship and are secured in the noted position by means of an annular band 28. When the annular band 28 is removed from the hook end portions 27, the struts 13 may be moved in a generally downward direction to the collapsed position represented by dotted lines in FIG. 10.

The collapsible shelter of the present invention further comprises a plurality of elongated normally vertically extending side frame members 29 positioned between the floor frame 1 and the top frame 8. The side frame members 29 are positioned about the periphery of the floor and top frames 1, 8 and located generally adjacent the corners and midpoints thereof, as shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each of the side frame members 29 comprises upper and lower sections 30, 31, respectively, and the opposite end portions thereof are pivotally connected by means of bolts 32 and wing nuts 33 (FIG. 7) to the floor and top frames 1, 8. The upper end portions of the upper sections 33 are provided with caps 34.

The inner end portions of the upper and lower sections 30, 31 of each of the side frame members 29 are connected together for folding movements in a manner shown particularly in FIG. 11. As shown therein, an elongated coil spring 34" of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the tubular upper and lower sections 30, 31 is disposed with its opposite end portions within the end portions of the upper and lower sections 30', 31. The end portions of the coil springs 34 are secured within the tubular sections 30, 31 by means of inwardly projecting detents 35 which project between adjacent convolutions of the coil spring 34. With this arrangement, the inner end portions of the upper and lower sections 30, 31 are disposed in axially spaced relationship, and the connection of the coil spring 34' permits folding movements between the upper and lower sections 30, 31. In order to releasably but rigidly secure the upper and lower sections 30, 31 of each of the side frame members 29 in axially aligned relation, a sliding tubular sleeve 36 is provided. The sleeve 36 is adapted for movement between upper and lower circumferentially extending stop ridges 37 defined by the upper and lower sections 30, 31, as shown particularly in FIG. 11. Accordingly, the upper position of the sleeve 36' is shown in FIG. 11 by full lines, wherein the sleeve 36 is positioned above the coil spring 34' to permit folding relative movements between the upper and lower sections 30, 31. However, the lower position of the 'sleeve 36 is represented by dotted lines in FIG. 11 and in this position, the sleeve 36 encompasses the adjacent inner end portions of the upper and lower sections 30, 31 so as to releasably but securely hold the upper and lower sections 30, 31 in axially aligned relation.

With this arrangement, it will be noted that means is provided for connecting the upper and lower sections 30, 31 of the side frame members 29 together and also to the floor frame '1 and the top frame 8 for folding movements from generally upright positions (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), wherein the top frame 8 is spaced above the floor frame 1, and folded positions, wherein the side frame members 29 are generally co-directional with respect to the side elements 9 of the floor frame 1, and wherein the top frame 8 is in a partially collapsed condition in overlying adjacent relation on the floor frame 1, as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 also illustrates the spacing and arrangement of the side frame members 29 so that upon collapsing or folding thereof, the upper and lower sections 30, 31 of each of the side frame members 29 are disposed in co-directional and generally parallel relation to the adjacent side sections 6 of the floor frame 1.

It will be noted that when the collapsible shelter as described herein is in its completely folded or collapsed condition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, upper end portions 38 of four of the upper sections 30 of the side frame members 29 will be disposed in closely spaced relationship, as illustrated in FIG. 16-. The upper end portions 38 are provided with clip rings 39, and a harness 40, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, is provided with four snap fasteners 41 for removable securement to the clip rings '39, as shown therein. With this arrangement, the harness 40 is used to maintain the collapsible shelter in its completely folded or collapsed position illustrated in FIG. 3.

It is noted that the four upper sections 30 of the side frame members 29, in addition to the four which are adapted for connection by the harness 40, are also provided with clip rings 39 whereby guy ropes, not shown, may be secured to the clip rings 39, if desired, although it is emphasized that the construction of the frame for the shelter of this invention provides completely suflicient strength and rigidity in its erected operative condition without the need for guys. As shownin FIG. 1, the shelter further includes a flexible waterproof cover 42 for the top frame 8, the cover 42 being preferably formed from a waterproof material, such as canvas, plastic or the like. The top cover 42 also defines a valance 43 which depends from the peripheral edge of the shelter top down over the side walls thereof for a short distance as shown in FIG. 1. Although other perforate or imperforate materials may be utilized, the side walls of the shelter in the illustrated embodiment are provided with a screen material 44 secured between the rectangular floor and top frames '1, 8 and disposed inwardly of the side frame members 29, as shown particularly in FIG. 1. The screen material 44 may be suitably provided with a Zippered door flap 45, and the lower edge portions 46 of the shelter walls define a peripheral flap 46, preferably formed from an imperforate material. As shown in FIG. 1, the flap 46 normally extends inwardly of the floor frame 1 when the shelter is on level ground, but when the shelter is positioned on uneven ground, the flap 46 will adjust to any depressions and provide a suitable seal around the lower edge portion of the shelter, as illustrated in FIG. 1. It should also be noted that the various elements and members of the frame for the shelter are preferably constructed from tubular material, as shown in the drawings. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a zippered bag 47 is preferably provided for enclosing and carrying the shelter when in its completely folded or collapsed condition.

When erecting the shelter, the bag 47 is of course initially removed, and the folded shelter is stood in an upright condition on the hook end portions 27 of the top frame struts 13, which in the completely collapsed condition of the shelter form outwardly projecting feet for supporting the same, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Of course, the harness 40 is removed from its connection to the clip rings 39 of the four upper sections 30 of the side frame members 29 disposed adjacent to one another. It is noted that when the shelter of the present invention is in the completely collapsed and novel folded position shown in FIG. 3, all of the elongated elements of the shelter frame are disposed in generally parallel relationship to one another.

After the harness 40 is removed, the folding corners 48 formed by the midpoints of the side elements 2, 9 of the floor and top frames 1, 8 are folded downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4, the corners 49 of the floor and top frames 1, 8 defined by the arcuate end portions 3 moving from the position shown by dotted lines in FIG. 12 to the full line position of FIG. 12. That is, when the shelter is in the completely collapsed position of FIG. 3, the corners 49 of the floor and top frames 1,8 will be in the-position shown by dotted lines in FIG. 12, but when the corners 48 formed by the midpoints of the side elements 2, 9 are folded downwardly to the position of FIG. 4, the corners 49 of the floor and top frames 1, 8 move to the full line position of FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the next step is to fold outwardly the corners 49 to form the floor and top frames 1, 8 into their normal rectangular, or preferably square, condition. Then, the top frame 8 is lifted above the floor frame 1, and as one proceeds around the shelter, the side frame members 29 are in turn folded .to their upright generally axially aligned conditions and the sleeves 36 are dropped to their lower positions for rigidly securing the side frame members 29. Then, the struts 13 of the top frame 8 are elevated from the dotted line position shown in FIG. to the full line position shown in FIG. 10, and then the four handles 21 of the tubular latch members 16 of the top frame 8 are pulled downwardly so as to move the tubular members 16 in each of the top frame side elements 9 to the position shown in FIG. 8. Of course, the struts 13 of the top frame 8 are held in their upper position by means of the annular band 28.

When it is desired to collapse the shelter from its erected condition, the process noted above is merely reversed, and the annular band 28 is removed from the hook end portions 27 of the top frame struts 13, and the handles 23 of the tubular latch members 16 are in turn pulled downwardly so as to release the connection between the side sections 10 of the top frame side elements 9. Then, the struts 13 are moved downwardly to their dotted line position shown in FIG. 10, and thereafter the side frame members 29 are collapsed after the latch sleeves 36 have been elevated. Then, the top frame will be in a partially collapsed condition in overlying adjacent relation on the floor frame 1, and referring to FIG. 5, the corners 49 are folded over in overlying relationship to generally meet at the center of the floor and top frames 1, 8. When all of the corners 49 have been folded inwardly, the shelter will be in a further partially collapsed condition shown in FIG. 4, after which the corners 48 formed by the midpoints of the side elements 2, 10 of the floor and top frames 1, 8 are folded upwardly whereby the centrally positioned hook end portions 27 of the top frame struts 13 move outwardly to form supporting feet for the shelter in its completely collapsed condition, as shown in FIG. 3. Then, the harness 40 is secured to the exposed end portions 38 of the side frame members 29, and the shelter is ready to be placed in the bag 47 for storage or ready portability.

From the above description, it will be obvious that a collapsible shelter has been provided which includes a frame structure constructed in a novel manner and foldable or collapsible in a novel way to provide a high degree of compactness.

This invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above-noted objects; and while a preferred embodiment thereof in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated has been shown and described above, it should be specifically understood that the same may be modified without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible shelter comprising:

(a) a generally rectangular floor frame comprising:

(1) a plurality of side elements pivotally connected to one another,

(2) said side elements being sectioned generally at their midpoints into a pair of side sections, and

(3) means disposed at the midpoint of each of said side elements and connecting said side sections thereof together for relative movements,

(b) a generally rectangular top frame normally positioned in vertically spaced relation above said floor frame and generally similar in configuration thereto and comprising:

(1) a plurality of side elements pivotally connected to one another,

(2) said side elements being sectioned generally at their midpoints into a pair of side sections, and

(3) means disposed at the midpoint of each of said side elements and connecting said side sections thereof together for relative movements,

(0) a plurality of elongated normally vertically extending side frame members positioned between said floor frame and said top frame and each comprising upper and lower sections,

(d) means connecting said upper and lower sections of said side frame members together and also to said floor frame and said top frame for folding movements from generally upright positions wherein said top frame is spaced above said floor frame and folded positions wherein said side frame members are generally co-directional with the respective side elements of said floor frame and wherein said top frame is in a partially collapsed condition in overlying adjacent relation on said floor frame,

(e) said floor frame and top frame being further foldable to a completely collapsed condition wherein said side elements thereof are disposed in general parallelism with one another and also with the upper and lower sections of said side frame members, and

(f) a flexible cover for said shelter frame when in its upright condition.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which said side frame members are located generally adjacent the corners of said floor and top frames and also at the midpoints of the side elements thereof.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said top frame further comprises a plurality of struts connected together at their inner end portions and connected at their outer end portions to the side elements of said top frame generally adjacent the midpoints thereof.

4. A collapsible shelter comprising:

(a) a generally square fioor frame comprising:

(1) a plurality of side elements pivotally connected to one another,

(2) said side elements being sectioned generally at their midpoints into a pair of side sections, and

(3) means disposed at the midpoint of each of said side elements and connecting said sections thereof together for relative movements,

(b) a generally square top frame normally positioned in vertically spaced relation above said floor frame and generally similar in configuration thereto and comprising:

(1) a plurality of side elements pivotally connected to one another,

(2) said side elements being sectioned generally at their midpoints into a pair of side sections, and

(3) means disposed at the midpoint of each of said side elements and connecting said sections thereof together for relative movements,

(c) a plurality of elongated normally vertically extending side frame members positioned between said floor frame and said top frame and each comprising upper and lower sections,

((1) means connecting said upper and lower sections of said side frame members together and also to said floor frame and said top frame for folding movements from generally upright positions wherein said top frame is spaced above said floor frame and folded positions wherein said side frame members are generally co-directional with the respective side elements of said floor frame and wherein said top frame is in a partially collapsed condition in overlying adjacent relation on said floor frame,

(e) the corners of said top frame and floor frame when in said partially collapsed condition being further foldable about the corresponding midpoints of the adjacent side elements of said top and floor frames to a position wherein said corners meet generally adjacent one another in the center of said collapsed top and floor frames, and being further foldable to a completely collapsed condition wherein said side elements of said top and floor frames are disposed in general parallelism with one another and also with said side frame members, and

(f) a flexible cover for said shelter frame when in its upright condition.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 in further combination with releasable latch means for securing the upper and lower sections of said side frame members in their upright positions, and releasable latch means disposed at the midpoints of the side elements of said top frame for rigidly securing together the side sections of the side elements of said top frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,305,306 6/1919 Rasmussen -4 1,509,881 9/1924 Severin 135-4 2,723,673 11/1955 Call 135-4 3,174,493 3/1965 Gruenberg 135-5 FOREIGN PATENTS 889,455 2/ 1962 Great Britain. 507,118 12/1954 Italy.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

L. J. SANTISI, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER COMPRISING: (A) A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FLOOR FRAME COMPRISING: (1) A PLURALITY OF SIDE ELEMENTS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE ANOTHER, (2) SAID SIDE ELEMENTS BEING SECTIONED GENERALLY AT THEIR MIDPOINTS INTO A PAIR OF SIDE SECTIONS, AND (3) MEANS DISPOSED AT THE MIDPOINT OF EACH OF SAID SIDE ELEMENTS AND CONNECTING SAID SIDE SECTIONS THEREOF TOGETHER FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENTS, (B) A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR TOP FRAME NORMALLY POSITIONED IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATION ABOVE SAID FLOOR FRAME AND GENERALLY SIMILAR IN CONFIGURATION THERETO AND COMPRISING: (1) A PLURALITY OF SIDE ELEMENTS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE ANOTHER, (2) SAID SIDE ELEMENTS BEING SECTIONED GENERALLY AT THEIR MIDPOINTS INTO A PAIR OF SIDE SECTIONS, AND (3) MEANS DISPOSED AT THE MIDPOINT OF EACH OF SAID SIDE ELEMENTS AND CONNECTING SAID SIDE SECTIONS THEREOF TOGETHER FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENTS, (C) A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED NORMALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING SIDE FRAME MEMBERS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID FLOOR FRAME AND SAID TOP FRAME AND EACH COMPRISING UPPER AND LOWER SECTIONS, 